|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author (up) Colas, S.; Fitton, M.; Thaxter, P.,
Title The progress project: the dynamics of involving the public in managing Peri-Urban Forests Type
Year 2008 Publication Management for Protection and Sustainable Development Abbreviated Journal
Volume MMV 4 - Proceedings Issue Pages 165-168
Keywords MMV4
Abstract The EU Forest Action Plan gives special emphasis to the benefits of Urban and Peri-urban forests for public recreation and as an aid to public understanding of conservation issues. At the same time forest and green recreation is being promoted in national agendas because of perceived therapeutic benefits. This strong promotion of forest recreation has re-kindled the concerns that recreation use would damage the resource and have major detrimental impact on biodiversity. The PROGRESS project, which focussed on two peri-urban forests in England and France, offered the opportunity to review these issues.
Call Number ILEN @ m.sokopp @ 962 Serial 2602
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author (up) Thaxter, P.; Colas, S.,
Title Public participation Forests – conserve, protect, enjoy Type
Year 2008 Publication Management for Protection and Sustainable Development Abbreviated Journal
Volume MMV 4 - Proceedings Issue Pages 521-521
Keywords MMV4, Public participation, forest, wildlife monitoring
Abstract The PROGRESS Project is a joint EU funded project between France (Office National des Forêts and Comité Départemental du Tourisme de Seine et Marne), England (Forestry Commission and Natural England) and the Netherlands (Alterra Research Institute). It aims at improving recreation management in the New Forest (120 km south of London) and Fontainebleau Forest (60 km south of Paris), both protected areas. The main objective was to use a range of tools for a better understanding of forest biodiversity and recreation to help reconcile the needs of conservation and recreation. The strategy was to work closely with stakeholder groups and the general public using a participatory approach to help plan the environment for local people and tourists whilst optimising the benefit for the wildlife. This involved very detailed recreation surveys and information about ecological issues being discussed with the stakeholders, to allow changes about channelling the public and alternative facilities off Natura 2000 to be proposed. This was followed by consultation with the public to get acceptance and ownership of these proposals. This led to a variety of actions being implemented including totally new facilities, signage and access control. It also involved a communication program, sustainability program, and other initiatives such as computer-based lessons for schools, promotion of health walks and best practice guides. All of this was done in differing ways in France and England, and the presentation will document the clear success this had in legitimising management changes required for a sustainable balance, and also some insight to lessons learnt. This is being followed up by a five year program of recreation and wildlife monitoring to give long term results.
Call Number ILEN @ m.sokopp @ 1118 Serial 2680
Permanent link to this record